Photo Gallery

A hotel has overlooked the fairfield for over 200 years. It became the Arbutus in 1926, when it was renovated to match the enduring vision of Tim and Julia Buckley. Look carefully at the window to the right of the front door and you'll see the glass hatch through which Tim 'The Boss' Buckley paid tradesmen, conducted business and oversaw the affairs of the town.

Every hotel has a standard bedroom. When Tim Buckley established the Arbutus, however, he decided that our standard would be rather high. Much of the furnishing was made specially for the Arbutus, the remainder was chosen to meet that high standard.

The term 'cois tine' literally translates from the Gaelic as 'by the fireside' but, in Ireland, it means much more than that. From cottage to mansion, a home and homemaker were judged by their fireside welcome

We believe that you should be able to relax in every corner of the hotel - the drawing room, the bar, the dining room but, most of all, your bedroom. Of course we say "make yourself at home" but we like
to feel you'll find a bit of magic here that you don't have at home.

Many of the saints, scholars, poets and playwrights for whom Ireland is so well known, hailed from the 'Kingdom' of Kerry. Whatever your taste in literature, there can be few more relaxing places to read.

This, believe it or not, is one of the seeds from which The Arbutus grew. Our grandfather, Tim Buckley, went to New York to work and raise the money he needed to buy the premises. One of his many jobs was that of a cabby.

Denis McMahon is one of the living legends who can be heard playing in Buckley's Bar at the Arbutus. His nickname, 'The Bull with the Hat', comes from the fact that his day job involves .... shall we say .... bovine fertility issues.

One of the advantages of running a family hotel, in its third generation, is that we can continue building on a vision. Where new owners might see the need to start anew, we have continually renewed, revived and improved on what Tim Buckley began in the 1920s.

Before the fiddler can lift his bow The singer first must take her bow, 'tis a song they love and know That's why they hope she'll bow right now!

This beautiful grandfather clock and barometer stand aside the gallery bookcase, to remind you of things that shouldn't bother you during your stay - time, pressure and bookkeeping.

Irish dairy produce is famed the world over and our range of farmhouse cheeses continues to grow in diversity and quality. While we produce almost no wine in Ireland, many of the great names in wine are in fact Irish - Mouton, Mc Carthy, Barton, Lynch and others.

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Arbutus Hotel Video

Hotel Breaks Kerry

Enjoy a selection of Kerry Hotel Breaks at the Arbutus Hotel which is located in the Heart of Killarney.